Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to the mobile applications developed by Eric Mark ("we," "us," or "our"), including TeachSpark, ShelfSpark, ProofForge, and Tomely (each, an "app"). It explains what information our apps handle and how. Our apps are built to be private by default.

The short version: Our apps do not require accounts, and we do not collect personal information about you, show ads, use analytics, or track you. We do not operate servers that store your data. Two apps — Shelfie and ShelfSpark — look up book details from public book databases, sending only an ISBN or title and nothing that identifies you. ShelfSpark, a classroom app for teachers, also lets a teacher store student names on their own device to track borrowed books; that information never leaves the teacher's device and iCloud (details below).

Practices Common to All Our Apps

App-Specific Details

TeachSpark

TeachSpark does not collect, transmit, or share any personal data. We receive no information about you or your use of the app.

ShelfSpark

ShelfSpark is a classroom-focused version of Shelfie for teachers and works the same way technically. Like Tomely, it does not collect personal information about you and has no accounts, analytics, advertising, or tracking. The same feature details described for Shelfie below also apply to ShelfSpark:

Your library is stored on your device and, if you are signed in to iCloud, synced to your own private iCloud account, which we cannot access.
Book lookups send only an ISBN or title to Open Library and Google Books to retrieve book details and cover art, with no information that identifies you.
The camera and photo library are used on your device, with your permission, for scanning barcodes and covers.

Student names (check-in / check-out). ShelfSpark includes a book check-in/check-out feature for classroom use. A teacher may enter student names so borrowed books can be tracked to a student. This information is entered by the teacher and is stored on the teacher's device and, if signed in to iCloud, in the teacher's own private iCloud account. It is never transmitted to us, is never included in book-lookup requests or sent to any other third party, and is not used for advertising or tracking. Teachers are responsible for following their school's or district's policies regarding student information; we recommend using first names or initials rather than full names.

ProofForge

ProofForge does not collect, transmit, or share any personal data. We receive no information about you or your use of the app.

Tomely

Tomely is a personal reading tracker. It does not collect personal information about you and has no user accounts. A few features involve handling data on your device or contacting book databases, as described below:

Your library. The books, reading status, ratings, notes, reading goal, and optional profile details you enter are stored on your device. If you are signed in to iCloud, they are also synced to your private iCloud account (Apple's CloudKit) so they stay in sync across your devices. This data lives in your iCloud; we cannot see or access it. Apple's handling of iCloud data is governed by Apple's Privacy Policy. You can also export a manual backup file and store it wherever you choose.
Book lookups. When you scan a barcode, look up an ISBN, or search for a book by title, Tomely sends that ISBN or title to Open Library (Internet Archive) and, if needed, Google Books to retrieve book details and cover art. These requests contain only the ISBN or title — no name, account, or identifier from the app. As with any internet request, the receiving service can see the originating IP address. We use these lookups solely to provide the requested book information; they are not used for advertising or tracking, and we keep no server-side record of your searches. See the Google Privacy Policy and Internet Archive terms.
Camera and photos. With your permission, Shelfie uses the camera to scan ISBN barcodes and book covers, and can access your photo library so you can choose a cover image. This happens on your device and is not transmitted to us.
On-device intelligence. On supported devices, Shelfie may use Apple's on-device intelligence to help read book covers and suggest what to read next. This processing happens on your device and is not sent to us.
Sharing. Shelfie lets you create shareable image cards. Sharing is initiated by you, and the content goes only to the app or person you choose through the standard iOS share sheet. We do not receive shared content.

Data Retention and Deletion

Because our apps do not store your personal data on our servers, your information stays under your control. You can delete content within an app, remove all of an app's data by deleting the app, and manage or delete any iCloud copy through your device's iCloud settings.

Children's Privacy

Our apps are not directed to children, and none of our apps transmit personal information to us. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

ShelfSpark is intended for use by a teacher, not by children. Its check-in/check-out feature lets a teacher record student names on the teacher's own device to track borrowed books. This information is controlled by the teacher, stays on the teacher's device and private iCloud, and is never sent to us or any third party. Teachers are responsible for complying with applicable laws and their institution's policies regarding student records (for example, FERPA or COPPA in the United States).

Your Rights

Depending on where you live (for example, under the GDPR or CCPA), you may have rights to access, correct, or delete personal data a company holds about you. Because we do not collect or store your personal data on any server, there is nothing on our side to access or delete — your information remains under your control on your device and in your iCloud. If you have questions or requests, contact us using the details below.

International Users

For the book lookups in Shelfie and ShelfSpark, the third-party book services described above may process requests on servers in the United States or other countries. No data that identifies you, and no student information, is included in those requests.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.